Photographic processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A photographic processing apparatus is provided which comprises a transport system for conveying photographic material successively through a developing zone, a fixing zone, a washing zone and a drying zone with no deleterious contact to the materials being transported or conveyed. The transporting system comprises a series of oppositely offset rollers which are designed to achieve the desired conveyance with minimum change of direction. The novel washing zone comprises a plurality of angled opposed water jets which are preceded and followed by opposed drying rollers. For ease and convenience of operation, the device is designed so that the developed dried film is delivered toward the feeding station at the front thereof.

O United States Patent 5 1 1 1 1 3,728,954

Everett et al. 1 5] Apr. 24, 1973 [541 PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING 3,545,364 12 1970 Reedy ..95/94 R x APPARATUS 3,405,626 10/1968 Fleisher et al. ..95/94 R [75] Inventors: Thorald E. Montague Everett, Vl/hite Primary Examiner samuel s Matthews Hams; Joseph Chanpm Assistant ExaminerRichard M. Sheer Stonybrook, both of NY. I AttOmey-K M- Le Fever [73] Assignee: A & M Research, Inc., White Plains,

NY. [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: June 3, 1971 A photographic processing apparatus is provided which comprises a transport system for conveying [21 1 Appl' 149530 photographic material successively through a developing zone, a fixing zone, a washing zone and a drying [52] US. Cl. ..95/94 R, 95/89 R zone with no deleterious contact to the materials [51] Int. Cl. ..G03d 3/12 being transported or conveyed. The transporting [58] Field of Search ..95/89, 94 system comprises a series of oppositely offset rollers which are designed to achieve the desired conveyance [56] References Cited with minimum change of direction. The novel washing zone comprises a plurality of angled opposed water UNITED STATES PATENTS jets which are preceded and followed by opposed dry- 3,345,928 10/1967 Krehbiel ..95 89 R x ing rollers- For ease and Convenience of Operation, the 3,482,502 12 1969 Balke ..95 97 x device is gn so that the developed rie film is 3,532,048 10/1970 Hope ..95/94 R delivered toward the feeding station at the front 3,6lO,l3l lO/l97l Frick et al.... ...95/94 R thereof, 3,552,293 1 1971 Cuthbert ....95 94 R 3,344,729 10/1967 Kitrosser ..95/89 R 2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENIE APR sum 1 035 FIG 1 PATENTEDAFR 24 1975 saw 2 UF 5 Q .Q ""1 Q 'FIGZ INVENTORS' IAHi-NIEUAPR 24 m5 SHTQET u 0F 5 SELEC TOP swncH usg CHM DRYER HEATER HEATER CONNECTOR NEON H MAI N :k I Q 56 LIGHTS 58 SW l I I I r I/ I 1 21 @m PATENIEU APR 24 1975 SHEET 5 OF 5 F IG. 6

PHOTOGRAIHIC PROCESSING APPARATUS GENERAL DESCRIPTION This invention relates to a novel apparatus for processing photographic materials. Particularly the invention relates to an apparatus for rapidly and efficiently processing photographic film through the developing and fixing of a photographic film negative or positive, washing and drying the resultant film in a continuous series of processing steps. Still more particularly the invention relates to a compact and efficient apparatus for processing photographic materials which utilizes a transporting mechanism to transport the film or other photographic materials through a developing zone, a fixing zone, a novel washing zone, and a drying zone so as to deliver a dried developed film, negative or positive, in a period of time much shorter than prior art devices and in a manner more convenient to the operator than art devices.

The invention also relates to a novel device for washing the developed and fixed film wherein the washing step is accomplished more quickly and efficiently than prior art methods.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The art of developing photographic materials, both positive prints and exposed film, is well advanced. Numerous patents are available to those familiar with the art covering a wide variety of devices and apparatuses for the development of photographic materials.

A number of devices are described in the patent literature for transporting film or other photographic materials while being processed. I

For example, U. S. Pat. No. 2,635,872 issued to Birse on Apr. 21, 1953, describes a novel method for feeding sheets of material into a series of rollers, such as calendar rollers, in a manner which prevents danger of finger crushing. U. S. Pat. No. 3,067,919, issued to Kunz on Dec. l l, 1962, teaches a transporting and guiding mechanism for changing the direction of travel of a material being processed and solves the problems posed by the contraction or expansion of the transported material during processing. U. S. Pat. No. 3,072,310, issued Jan. 8, 1963, also to Kunz, is directed to another transport system and solves the problem of slack development due to material expansion. On Dec. 28, 1956, U. S. Pat. No. 3,226,111 was issued to Ellis. This patent teaches a transportation system for materials, such as photographic film, through a liquid processing bath so that the sheet is advanced without the mechanism touching the sheet where it is in the liquid. This effect is brought about by so positioning the opposed rollers of the transport system that there is a flow of liquid between them, the force of the liquid flow causing the sheet to move in the desired direction. U. S. Pat. No. 3,270,654, issued on Sept. 6, 1966 to Russel et al., relates to a Roller Transfer mechanism successively above a series of tanks and thus pass a sheet of material from one tank to a succeeding one. In U. S. Pat. No. 3,345,928, issued to Krehbiel on Oct. 10, 1967, there is described a mechanism for transporting a flexible material, such as a photographic film, through a process. The inventive concept here seems to be that of versatility with respect to handling gelatin coated materials of random width and thickness and describes a series of individually mounted rollers on individual driving shafts so that the sheet or film is at all times contracted by a plurality of driving rollers or wheels, some of which may be nobbed or ridged to increase driving friction. U. S. Pat. No. 3,353,470, issued on Nov. 21, 1967 to Lane, relates to a device for automatically developing X-ray plates wherein the plates are sequentially dipped and removed from a series of developing and fixing baths.

The invention described herein, is related to the art exemplified by the just described patents and further advances such art by providing a compact and efficient apparatus for developing and finishing photographic materials, particularly dental X-ray film and the like, and which includes a developing zone, a fixing zone, a washing zone and a drying zone, in which the material is processed in a continuous manner, driven or transported through the various zones by a new and unique transporting system which is designed with a minimum change of direction through the developing, fixing and washing zones and delivers the finished film in a manner that is most convenient to the operator.

The washing zone, per se, represents a new and novel approach to the technique of film washing and contributes in no small measure to the utility and compactness of the device. It is also contemplated that other embodiments of the instant apparatus may utilize this novel technique in the developing and fixing zones. The high degree of agitation and turbulence obtained by this technique insures maximum contact between the chemicals used and the film and thus results in optimim developing and fixing.

The apparatus of the invention is of a modular concept; that is the processing zones and the transport mechanisms are constructed as modules so that they may be readily changed or repoaced without the necessity for'costly down time repairs. The path of film travel through the apparatus is designed so that change of direction is minimized during the developing and fixing and washing zones. However, the finished film changes direction in the drying zone so that a maximum drying time is obtained in the shortest distance of travel, thus adding to the overall compactness of the apparatus.

One unique aspect of the instant invention is the design of the transport system which will be more clearly explained in the specific description. In general, however, this system is designed around a series of rollers which are positioned such that when a sheet of material, such as film, is contacted by any two rollers, one on one side and one on the other, there is little'or no distortion from the film plane. This principle allows a positive advance of the film through the various zones without requiring a great degree of change of direction and yet without harmful contact to the film surfaces.

A second novel feature of the apparatus of this invention is the provision of a unique washing zone. In prior art devices the photographic material, after the development of the image and the fixing thereof, is washed free of excess chemicals by dipping the film in a water bath which is ordinarily of the same or greater volume as the processing baths. This washing step is a critical operation since any residual chemical on the film surface in the drying zone would result in a chemical reaction, or the development of a chemical scum or haze on the incompletely washed film with a corresponding reduction in archival quality of the negative or print. The novel washing zone embodied in the apparatus of this invention is designed to produce a thoroughly washed film in a space and distance of travel hitherto impossible, thus permitting the design of a compact unit.

The novel washing zone of the apparatus of this invention comprises the space betweena pair of opposed planar surface which may be set at a slight angle to each other such that space is of a greater width at the front than at the rear, that is, the leading edges of the planar surfaces of the zone limits in relation to the direction of travel of the film are further apart than at the trailing edge. Both the upper and lower planar surfaces defining the washing zone are provided with a plurality of orifices through which water is forced in a series of jets. The point ofjuncture of the water jets is the plane of travel of the film. In the absence of film in the washing zone the jets of water form an angle of greater than 180 at their point ofjunture-again in relation to the direction of travel of the film, that is to say the water jets are angled slightly backward against the plane of film travel. When film is being washed, therefore, the washing zone is completely filled with a highly turbulent body of water which circulates and recirculates within the confines of the washing zone and subjects both sides of the film being washed to a unique and highly efficient washing action, the turbulent flow causing repeated and continuous moving contact of water on all areas of the film passing therethrough. The angled direction of the washing jets also results in an initial counter-current washing action and tends to flush the chemicals adhering to the film surface in a direction opposite the direction of travel of the film, thus exposing a once-washed film surface to the action of clean washing water.

The used washing water containing the chemicals from the film surface falls from the washing zone, is collected in a reservoir and is drained from the apparatus, thus insuring that only clean chemical free water is used in the washing zone.

Excess chemicals from the zone preceding the washing zone are removed by a pair of nip rollers prior to entrance of the film into the washing zone, and a similar pair of nip rollers remove excess water from the film on its leaving the washing zone and prior to its entrance into the drying zone.

Whereas in the developing zone and in the fixing zone the film path is regulated by the transport mechanism to provide a minimum amount of directional change, and in the washing zone to a straight line, in the drying zone the film path is an arc approaching l80 so that the general direction of the travel of the film is reversed. In the drying zone both sides of the film are subjected to a current of heated air, the air heated by electrical heating means and circulated by a fan in a manner familiar to those skilled in the art. The provision of a semi-cirular path of travel, however, permits an exposure of the film to drying conditions for a time period of travel-much longer for a given space than any of the drying zones with which the art is familar, thus adding to the compactness of the apparatus of the instant invention.

As was stated above the apparatus of the invention is designed in the modular concept with respect to the treatment zones. The developing zone, the fixing zone and the wash-dry zone are complete modules, both with respect to the processing step of each zone and the transport system. Thus either or all of the modules may be easily and conveniently removed for cleaning,

repair, or replacement without the necessity of long periods of costly down time.

The transport system is motivated by a prime mover-ordinarily an electric motor. A plurality of worm gears, driven by a common shaft from a variable speed transmission, drive master sprockets. The master sprockets, in turn, drive an endless belt or chain. The chain drives one set of rollers in a module or unit which are in geared contact with opposed rollers, thus driving them in a direct l:l relation. As an alternate main drive method, a common shaft, worm, and worm gear could be replaced by other mechanical means, such as a drive chain and sprockets, etc.

The variable speed transmission device imparts flexibility to the apparatus and enables the operator to choose the degree of film processing within wide limits.

The apparatus of the invention is enclosed in a unitary case which provides ease in transport and forms a reservoir for washing water, spilled chemicals and the like. A water supply and drain may be piped to the washer unit or a pump feeding the washing zone from a suitable container may be provided to which chemically treated wash water is fed for recirculation with the concomitant ecological advantage. This latter feature is preferred since such a unit is operable at any location where only a source of electricity is available.

The invention will be more completely described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view taken from the front and slightly above left, with the cover removed;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view, enlarged, of one embodiment of the washing zone;

FIG. 3 is a view in cross section of one modular element of the transport system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus as enclosed in its case, ready for operation;

FIG. 5 represents a simplified wiring diagram of the electrical system of the apparatus; and;

FIG. 6 represents a simplified cross-sectional view of the drying zone, partly broken away, to show the details of the drying zone.

Turning now to the drawings, reference numeral 1 indicates the bottom portion of the case of the invention which is designed to contain the mechanism therein and to gather any liquid overflow from the machine. The bottom portion of the case I is equipped with a draining mechanism, not show, through which any liquid spillage may be removed.

The bottom portion of case 1 may be prepared from any moldable plastic material or it may be designed from and constructed from any material capable of holding liquid. Prefereably the case is molded from a high impact polystyrene or ABS resin.

Positioned within the lower portion of the case 1 and resting on the bottom thereof, is the main frame which holds the containers 2 and 3, which, in this embodiment, represent respectively the developing and the fixing zones. These containers or reservoirs, are similar and preferably of a plastic material such as a high impact polystyrene or other chemically inert polymer material, stainless steel, or the like, which may be molded or otherwise formed to the desired shape.

Superimposed on containers 2 and 3 are the unitized transport mechanisms, reference numeral 4 designating the unit superimposed in developing zone 5 and reference numeral 6 designating the unit superimposed on fixing zone 7.

Units 8 and 9 comprise a frame member of a high density plastic material which contains journalled therein a series of closely spaced roller mechanisms as more clearly shown in FIG. 3.

The rollers are fabricated of a plastic material such as a high density polymeric material known to the trade as Delrin, or similar materials. Fitted on each end of the roller 10 are shafts 11, 12, and 13. On the end of shafts l2 and 13 there is fitted gears 14 and 15 which mesh with each other in a l:l relation.

The journalling of the individual rollers of the transport system are brought about simply by means of the shafts which extend through holes in the frame members. At the outer extremity of shaft 12 there is fitted operation sprocket 16, which is driven by endless chain member 17 (FIG. 1). Shaft 18 driven by sprocket 19, and sprocket (FIG. 1), drives gear 21, which in turn, rotates roller 10 by means of gears 14 and 15.

As an alternate main drive system, sprockets 19 and 20 may be substituted by a worm gear and worm system if desired.

A commpn power input shaft, or chain, 22, is driven by motor 23 through a variable speed transmission 24.

The roller members are very carefully positioned in the frame members 8 and 9 so as to form a path of minimum directional change through the developing and fixing zones. They are also journalled in the frame member such that the gear teeth of gears 14 and 15 are in interlocking relationship and chain 17 rotates onehalf of each pair, driven in turn, by sprocket 16. Thus, when one roller is turned in any unit, by means, for example, of motor 23, chain 22, sprocket 20, and sprocket 19, shaft 18, and gears 21, 15 and 14, all of the rollers in that module revolve at the same speed.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings (FIG. 1), there is depicted two chemical zones represented by containers 2 and 3 in the developing of photographic materials. Zone 5 is a developing zone and 7 a chemical fixing zone. The film to be processed is introduced into the system, at the right of FIG. 1, and then conveyed successively through the developing zone 5 and fixing zone 7. The chemicals present in these zones are those ordinarily used and form no part of the inventive concept.

The processed film from fixing zone 7 is then passed successively through a washing zone 25 where chemicals are removed from the film and then through a drying zone 26 where the washed film is thoroughly dried.

The washing zone and the drying zone in the embodiment shown in the drawings are contained in frame member 27, the transport system successively delivering in a continuous manner the chemically processed film through these two zones.

The washing zone is more specifically described by reference to FIG. 2 of the drawing. Turning now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that in the first portion of the washing zone is a pair of nip rollers 28 and 29 whose function is to squeeze or remove excess chemicals on the film prior to being washed.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the washing zone comprises four successive washing areas 30, 31, 32, and 33 each of which consists of a pair of chambers having orifices in the opposed faces. As is shown in the drawing, FIG. 2 in particular, one embodiment contemplates opposed flattened tubular chambers. Each area is preceded and followed by a pair of nip rollers which remove excess water from the surfaces of the film. A final pair of nip rollers, 34 and 35, are disposed at the entrance of the drying zone.

Each washing area comprises a pair of opposed surfaces which are at an angle and which are equipped with a number of orifices through which jets of water under pressure are forced. The surfaces containing the jet orifices are preferably arranged at a slight angle such that the jets converge at the plane of the film 36 at an angle less than against the path of travel of the film. This means that any chemicals remaining on the film material after passing through the first set of nip rollers 28 and 29, is washed away from the direction of travel of the film, collected in the reservoir formed by case 2 and withdrawn by means not shown.

When film 36 leaves the washing zone and passes through the final pair of nip rollers 34 and 35, it is clean from residual chemicals picked up in the preceding developing and fixing zone. It then enters the drying zone.

In the drying zone, the film changes direction 180 and is thus delivered in a direction toward the front end of the apparatus at a location convenient to the operator. The film transport system carries the film through a zone of heated circulating air, heated by means of one or more electric forced air heaters, shown at 37 in FIG. 1. Preferably two heaters are used and are positioned on each side of the film. This is shown more in detail in FIG. 6. Heated air is forced against both sides of the photographic material, 36, as it is passed through the drying zone and while changing direction 180", by means of a pair of opposed forced air heaters, 37. The direction of the flow of heated air is shown by the arrows.

The film is then delivered from the drying zone through slot 38 of upper case 39, as shown in FIG. 4, completely processed and dried ready for instant reading. The entrance port for the unprocessed film is shown at 40 in FIG. 4.

As was stated above, the apparatus of the invention is preferably electrically controlled, that is to say, the transport system is powered by an electric motor and the drying zone is furnished with one or more electrical resistance heaters or electrically driven fans. A simplified wiring diagram is shown in FIG. 5.

Power from the main line enters a two-position rocker type indicator switch, 50. The first position of the switch when depressed, energizes a blanket type heater, 52. The heater temperature is manually controlled by a thermal switch, 54. A neon indicator light, 56, is provided in the rocker switch to show that power is being supplied to the heater, 52.

The second position of the rocker switch energizes a second neon light, 58, and two heating elements, 60, and two fan motors, 62. These heating elements and fans are used to dry the film as it passes between them. Simultaneously the second position of the rocker switch energizes a solenoid, 64, operated water valve, used to control the water flow for washing the film. The

second position of the rocker switch also enables the main drive motor, 66, to be energized by means of electronic solid state circuitry consisting of one transistor, 68, two diodes, 70, resistors, 72, a potentiometer, 74, a selector switch, 76, and a neon indicator light, 78.

The selector switch allows the drive motor to be run at full speed by by-passing the speed control circuitry. If slower speeds are desired, the switch is positioned at control, thereby directing the current through the potentiometer which can be positioned to the desired speed. The entire circuitry is protected by a fuse.

Thus it is to be seen that there is provided herewith a compact and efficient apparatus for developing photographic film, such as dental X-ray film, ordinary X-ray film, picture film, or the like. One feature of the invention is in the complete change of direction of the film in the drying zone, thus permitting a compact design and an efficient drying, not available in prior art devices. The unit comprises a developing zone, a fixing zone, a washing zone, and a drying zone, and is equipped with a transport system which moves the film throughout with a minimum of curvature. The apparatus includes means for successively supplying and removing from the surface of the film excess liquid. Although shown in the washing zone, this novel treating method may be applied with equal efficacy in the developing and the fixing zones.

It is to be understood, of course, that the inventive concept is not to be considered as being limited by the foregoing description, but only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for the processing of photographic material having opposite surfaces which comprises a developing zone, a fixing zone, a washing zone and a V material through said zones in a path of minimum curvature;

a plurality of means for successively supplying excessive liquid to both surfaces of such photographic material in said washing zone, said plurality of means comprising a plurality of spaced pairs of opposed circular tubular chambers, each pair of opposed chambers having one chamber on opposite sides of said path, each of said chambers having one flattened side, said chambers being so disposed that the outer surfaces of said flattened sides oppose each other, said flattened sides having orifices extending therethrough, said opposed chambers being arranged with said opposed surfaces converging toward said path in the direction of approach of such photographicmaterial along said path;

a plurality of means positioned between such opposed tubular chambers for successively removing excessive liquid from both surfaces of such photos graphic material so that substantially liquid free surfaces are exposed to each succeeding pair of opposed tubular chambers;

a pair of heating means, one on each side of said path, for uniformly heating and circulating heated air simultaneously to both surfaces of such photographic material in said drying zone;

and means in said drying zone for changing the direction of such photographic material while both surfaces of such material is bein' dried. 2. An apparatus according to claim wherein the orifices in the opposed faces of said opposed chambers are positioned such that liquid passing therethrough converges at the surface of such photographic material passing between said opposed faces. 

1. An apparatus for the processing of photographic material having opposite surfaces which comprises a developing zone, a fixing zone, a washing zone and a drying zone; means for continuously conveying photographic material through said zones in a path of minimum curvature; a plurality of means for successively supplying excessive liquid to both surfaces of such photographic material in said washing zone, said plurality of means comprising a plurality of spaced pairs of oppOsed circular tubular chambers, each pair of opposed chambers having one chamber on opposite sides of said path, each of said chambers having one flattened side, said chambers being so disposed that the outer surfaces of said flattened sides oppose each other, said flattened sides having orifices extending therethrough, said opposed chambers being arranged with said opposed surfaces converging toward said path in the direction of approach of such photographic material along said path; a plurality of means positioned between such opposed tubular chambers for successively removing excessive liquid from both surfaces of such photographic material so that substantially liquid free surfaces are exposed to each succeeding pair of opposed tubular chambers; a pair of heating means, one on each side of said path, for uniformly heating and circulating heated air simultaneously to both surfaces of such photographic material in said drying zone; and means in said drying zone for changing the direction of such photographic material 180* while both surfaces of such material is being dried.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the orifices in the opposed faces of said opposed chambers are positioned such that liquid passing therethrough converges at the surface of such photographic material passing between said opposed faces. 